MERCY SPIRITUALITY UNIT 1 – STORYTELLING LESSON 2 – HOW DO WE TELL STORIES?

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL… “The Story People” – excerpt from The Storytelling Animal – How Stories Make us Human by Jonathan Gottschall Why Storytelling Matters – Garr Reynolds, Ted Talk (I promise we will NOT have a Ted Talk for every lesson!!!) Why Storytelling Matters Everyone has a story to tell. And while we could spend a lifetime learning the art and technique of storytelling – perfecting our style and performance – for most of us, it is the simple telling of a tale that’s important. Something as ordinary as the events of the day, an old joke, or a traditional story we heard as a child. Storytelling comes from the heart, not the head, and nothing should keep us from the exhilaration and sheer pleasure of telling a story. – Jimmy Neal Smith, Homespun: Tales from America’s Favorite Storytellers

YOUR PLACE IN TRADITION So, where do we start? First, do NOT be intimidated by the likes of Phil Kaye and Garr Reynolds or even by me! We need artists like them to inspire us; but even more we need caring tellers in every home and community who will share stories with personal warmth and concern that only the intimacy of small-group storytelling can provide. Additionally, there are many other ways to tell stories: Quilts, Songs, Film, Artwork, and many other forms of media constitute ways of “telling a story”. But oral sharing creates a unique personal connection! You can become one of those sharing tellers!!!

LEARNING THE STORY To really get started, you will find a story that excites and delights you! It should be something so wonderful you can’t wait to go tell it! When you hear or read the story and jump up thinking, “I can’t wait to tell this!” – that’s the tale you want to tell.

GETTING READY! 1.Read the story out loud! – 2.Memorize the key parts – chants or songs or key phrases 3.Outline the tale (opening, first episode, second episode, ending) 4.Say the story (practice for yourself, put down your paper and tell it in your own words) 5.Tweak or refine – recheck to see what you forgot or clear up parts that you missed 6.Tell it through – try not to stop, improvise if you forget and keep telling

PERFORMING THE STORY Set the Stage Remove distractions Arrange your space Make it special Prepare the audience The Pregnant Pause The Opening Bridge Put the audience at ease “Wrap” them in the tale! Communicate Don’t recite, don’t perform…speak TO the audience – make eye contact, read their responses End with Confidence Bridge back to the beginning Allow them to feel the “journey” is finished

MILK BOTTLES

Now let’s see what you remember.